Foundation Year Fundamentals

Why study the International Foundation Programme?

The International Foundation Programme brings you on an exciting journey of education and self-discovery as you spend less than a year developing your skills that will in turn help you gain access to some of the best universities in the world.

In simple terms, DIFC’s foundation courses prepares you for university by building your subject knowledge if your qualifications aren’t at a level to allow you direct entry to university. For international students, it also effectively builds your English language skills with our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) module.

Of course if you’re looking to study at DIFC then you’ll be looking for a foundation course which both prepares you for the demands of university teaching and enhances your English language skills. This is precisely what our courses intend to do; an International Foundation Year Diploma with us successfully improves your language and study skills and additionally helps you integrate into a new country and city.

Interested in Studying Overseas

If you are interested in studying overseas, DIFC offers not just a pathway into some of the best universities in the world but also opens your eyes with the support of the friendly and helpful teachers and staff and the different cultures of our multinational students. As one of our former Health Science (Medicine) Foundation Programme put it, studying with DIFC “has not only widened my perspective on the different aspects of life but has given me the courage to be an independent individual.”

What is the Learning and Teaching Style of the DIFC Foundation Programme?

Throughout the NCUK International Foundation Year, all the academic subject modules are taught using a lecture and tutorial process that mirrors the style of teaching that you will encounter in university courses. The idea of this is to have you comfortable in a university environment before you progress to one of our 40+ university partners.

What is the Foundation Programme Structure?

The International Foundation Year comprises of approx. 26 hours of timetable lessons per week. This includes:

English for Academic Purposes which covers reading, writing, listening and speaking that will improve your English language skills
Three academic subject modules related to your Foundation stream, for example Medicine, Business, Engineering or Science
ICT to teach you how to use different software for preparing assignments and presentations, as well as using the Internet, e-mail and virtual learning environment software to support your learning
Study Skills to help you to work effectively in groups, present ideas, manage your time, conduct research, take lecture notes, organise the content of essays and understand how to evaluate your own work
Pastoral Care comprising of a weekly group tutorial to help you prepare for your university applications.

To apply for an undergraduate or pre-masters pathway Foundation Programme, just click here, complete the application form and we will be in touch shortly.